K-BeautyIntel
Honest ingredient research and real prices for Korean skincare.

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica vs. numbuzin No.5+

A fermented-centella, ceramide-boosted barrier formula against an eight-active glutathione-and-TXA brightening blend, two genuinely different jobs.

Research-basedBy Nur → Last verified 9/25/2026
Criteria
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule
numbuzin
No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum
Price$24.00$25.00
Price / unit$0.48/mL$0.83/mL
Size50 mL30 mL
Price checked9/16/20269/12/2026

Both are fragrance-free, built-out formulas at a similar price, but they're solving different problems: one is specifically positioned for barrier repair, the other for brightening.

Why compare these two specifically

Both include real ceramide NP and land at a similar price, but their headline purposes diverge sharply: barrier-focused intensive care versus targeted brightening. Worth knowing which job you actually need done.

Price per milliliter

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica runs $0.48 per milliliter ($24.00 for 50mL). numbuzin runs $0.83 per milliliter ($25.00 for 30mL). SKIN1004 is meaningfully cheaper per mL.

Barrier-intensive vs. brightening-clinical

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica uses fermented centella alongside niacinamide, real Ceramide NP, and madecassoside, explicitly positioned by the brand as more intensive and barrier-focused, not a general-purpose serum. numbuzin builds around niacinamide, tranexamic acid, arbutin, a stable vitamin C derivative, ceramide NP, bisabolol, and glutathione, eight ingredients aimed squarely at brightening, with barrier support as a secondary benefit.

Our take

If barrier repair and calming are the actual concern, SKIN1004 Probio-Cica's fermented, ceramide-boosted formula is the more purposeful, better-value pick. If brightening and dark spots are the priority, numbuzin's eight-active clinical blend is built specifically for that, at a real premium reflecting its broader active list.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule: $0.48/mL. Fermented centella and real Ceramide NP for barrier repair specifically, the better-value pick for that need.

numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum: $0.83/mL. An eight-active brightening blend built around tranexamic acid and glutathione, for dark spots specifically.

See our full best Korean serums by concern guide, or browse the rest of our serum coverage.

Shop these picks

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SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule$0.48/mL

Price checked 9/16/2026

numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum$0.83/mL

Price checked 9/12/2026

Frequently asked

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica or numbuzin No.5+, which is better for barrier repair?

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica, its fermented centella and Ceramide NP formula is explicitly positioned for barrier support. numbuzin is built for brightening, with barrier support as a secondary benefit.

Which is cheaper, SKIN1004 Probio-Cica or numbuzin No.5+?

SKIN1004 Probio-Cica, at $0.48 per milliliter versus numbuzin's $0.83 per milliliter.

Are SKIN1004 Probio-Cica and numbuzin No.5+ fragrance-free?

Yes, both are confirmed fragrance-free.